Lenten Preparation Pt. 2

photo comes from www.worldmapper.org

Conviction.

Last week in my New Testament class, Dr. Rowe presented to us a website, which really challenged my views of the world. I've always been sort of aware of the poverty situation in America and the world. But I've never felt as convicted as I have felt the last week to do something about it. Not that I, one person, can change the overwhelming statistics of people who are dying on a daily basis because one of their basic needs are not being met.  The map above one of the maps Dr. Rowe showed us in class. This represents the population, in 2002, of the world who live on less than $2/day. That $2 would be spent on the basic needs of food, shelter, and water. Medicine, clothing, books, and other "luxuries" would not be a priority to a family living at this level. Another source I came across reported that about half the world's population lives on less than $2.50/day.

The more I read, the more my heart sank. I cried. And I knew that even though I can't change the numbers, that I could maybe change it for one person or for a family. For now, that will have to be good enough.

Lenten Commitment.

This brings me to the commitment I am making for forty days. Originally, I wanted to spend the forty days of Lent in a total fast. But due to health reasons, I have been advised not to do that at this time. (At some point in my life, I WILL do this...) I am a 100% healthy, 23 year old female. But I do have to watch some of my vitamin, sugar, and protein levels--doctor's words. 

For the forty days of Lent, I will be living on an amount between $2-$2.50/day. I figure the easiest way to do this is to budget between $14-$17.50/week for my necessities. More often than not, I will stick to the $2/day budget. I realize this isn't a total sacrifice--my housing is fully paid for; I have my own means of transportation; I have more clothes in my closet than I could ever truly need; I have adequate health insurance and access to medicine if I need it. So no, I don't think that what I am about to engage in is a true representation of what someone who is truly hungry is experiencing. And I'm not so sure that it will truly make a difference...but I'm not sure that is the point in all this. 

Food is so integrated into our daily lives; we survive off of it, we spend time in conversation around it and we just really enjoy food. In a lot of cases it is something we struggle with; it can be sinful. For many years of my life this was the case; I found more comfort in food than I found in talking and sharing in my life with God. When i was feeling sad, happy or anywhere in between, food was my friend. I'd say this held true in my life until about 3-5 years ago; definitely 3 years ago.

I will begin this practice on February 13 (Ash Wednesday) and will end on March 24, rather than March 30; that's 40 days straight. Who knows, maybe I'll go the full 46 days. But I will not take Sunday's to celebrate the "mini-Easter"it represents.

I will also be taking a daily multivitamin to ensure my vitamin levels are maintained. (I'm hoping you all will hold me accountable to make sure I am doing this in a healthy, holy way).

As I've been preparing myself mentally for this I have thought about some of the sacrifices I will have to make. It really doesn't seem like it will be that hard to live on a couple bucks a day. But it's a greater sacrifice than that. And there are some fuzzy lines.

• It means absolutely no eating out...so when friends go out to eat, I will go but will not eat with them. 
• What do I do if someone offers to buy me food? Well, I'm technically not paying for it, so I guess that would be okay. (Please do not offer to buy my food!)
• it means no diet coke. this is something i've been trying to give up for a long time and have had recent success in cutting down on the amount I consume. I'd also like to say that the fact the $1.50 I've spent on a 16 oz. diet coke in the Refectory is a representation as to how much a good percentage of the world lives off of on a daily basis.
• no shopping. that's right, no more clothing (no matter how cute that dress is/will be) My one exception will be Spring Break, because there are plans that have been in the works for months now. I'll have to think and reflect more on how to make this apart of my Lenten journey.

With the money I will be saving (including the shopping trips and eating out), I plan to donate an amount to an organization who supports individuals and families that are living at this level. My thoughts are either Heifer International (based in Little Rock, AR) or UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief). Both are excellent organizations and are working toward lowering the percentage of people dying from hunger.

I'm not sure if this has been laid upon my heart because of my upcoming trip to Uganda this summer, or not. African countries are some of the leading countries in poverty, infant death, and deaths due to hunger. I'm not sure what I will get out of this, or if I am supposed to get anything out of it at all. But I hope and pray I am able to stick to this commitment. 

I am still working on outlining some of my goals for the forty days and will post those soon.